For the first time in 15 years, Ford has completely redone the Expedition, and the improvements are significant.

I spent a few days behind the wheel of a “ruby red metallic” Expedition recently courtesy of Joe Redwine, sales manager at Karl Klement Ford in Decatur. My only “what it used to be” reference is a 2010 King Ranch Expedition I owned until a year ago.

The most striking improvement was in performance. The new Expedition is powered by a 375 horsepower, turbo-charged V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Expedition I drove was the base XLT model with equipment group 202A that included power leather seats, hands-free rear liftgate, voice-activated navigation system, heated front seats and steering wheel. It tipped the pricing scale just below $60,000 – comparable to the Chevrolet Tahoe LT.

Motor Trend magazine recently gave the new Expedition top honors in a comparison test with the Tahoe, Dodge Durango, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia. The magazine called the Expedition a “game changer” in the large truck-based SUV category.

“The Expedition is a jack-of-all trades. It will do anything you ask without breaking a sweat,” the magazine writers said. The Durango came in second in the test with the Tahoe a close third. The two foreign-made vehicles were last in the test.

For a family with children, the Expedition has a neat feature in the second row bench seat. The middle section of the split bench seat slides forward to get the child closer to the driver.

There are three trim-level versions of the new Expedition, including the base XLT, the Limited and the Platinum. The Platinum is priced along with the GMC Yukon Denali. The extended length Expedition is now called the Expedition MAX.

Edmunds.com also drove the Expedition and said it was a “top pick if you need a vehicle that can haul families, toys or both.” The Expedition can tow up to 9,000 pounds.

For those who might want to haul a few sheets of Plywood home from Lowe’s or Decatur Lumber, the regular Expedition, with all the seats folded down, has 108.3 cubic feet of space. In the Expedition MAX, that space grows to 130.8 cubic feet.

Motor Trend used a firm called IntelliChoice to calculate the five-year cost of ownership of the vehicles tested and the Expedition and Tahoe were clear winners – with only $243 difference between the two in Tahoe’s favor. The calculation included depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs. Of course, all those can vary greatly depending on how the vehicle is used.

Ford admittedly has a long way to go to catch the Tahoe and Suburban in total sales, but if my few days behind the wheel of the Expedition are any indication, they now have a fighting chance to improve their sales in the large SUV market.

Owners Joel and Alma DeLeon and their staff grew their business from a single, 40-seat Mexican restaurant to a small chain with three other locations – Boyd, Bowie and Graham.

Joel, who has an associate’s degree in hotel and restaurant management, said the key to their success is “good food and good customer service.”

He recalled always planning to open a restaurant, but as a young man, he was a truck driver. He was living in Dallas at the time but would drive through Bridgeport on certain routes. One day he spied his opportunity – a small restaurant on U.S. 380 closed and there didn’t appear to be many other restaurants in town.

“I thought, ‘man, I can start here in this small spot and at least sell food to my trucker buddies,'” he said.

Just seven or eight months after opening, they moved to the location on Texas 101 and later built a brand-new, beautiful building at 105 Lake Road, which is its current location. This facility seats 210 and Joel estimates they turn it over at least three times per day, serving 600 to 700 customers daily.

“When it all starts, your goal is just to get it going and everything go smooth … but it never all goes smoothly,” he said. “It’s about the goal you have in mind and keeping at it. Be persistent.”

Joel said a customer appreciation day is planned for next month. Watch the Wise County Messenger for more information.

DUST STILL FLYING

The remodel at Legend Bank in Decatur is still underway, and although you can’t go inside the building, you can use the drive thru. The only week the drive thru will be closed is April 9-14.

If you have banking needs that can’t be met in the drive thru, visit Legend’s temporary location at 910 W. Hwy. 380 Business.

SOMBER MATTERS

Jones Family Funeral Home is having a free advance planning seminar 6 p.m. March 20. Local experts who will speak include attorney Chris Forbis on legal tools, Ginny Feaster with First Financial Bank in Decatur on bank accounts and pre-arrangement specialist Leon Stone on advance funeral planning.

There will be refreshments and door prizes … notice how they’re trying to make this fun? I think we can all agree planning a funeral is an unpleasant, but necessary process.

To get the ball rolling on funeral plans for yourself or a loved one, sign up for this seminar by calling 940-626-8221.

TRIBE STOP SIGN

I’m leaving the county for a few days next week, so you know what that means?

The last day is March 27. In the meantime, hustle down for some great deals. Everything in the store is currently 30 percent off and discounts will increase as the closing date approaches.

Buddy’s Home Furnishings, a rent-to-own store, will open in its place. I don’t have a date for its opening, but as soon as I find out, you’ll be the first to know.

TOP 10, BABY

Wise County ranked ninth in total gas production for December 2017, according to the Texas Railroad Commission.

The county produced 13,474,186 mcf (thousand cubic feet) of gas, just above Upton County at 13,426,892 mcf.

Webb County, along the Texas/Mexico border, ranked No. 1 with 35,845,073 mcf. Tarrant County was ranked second with 33,354,811 mcf. Other counties in the top 10 included Reeves, Midland, Karnes, Panola, De Witt and Loving.

Production for the entire state of Texas totaled 514,503,830 mcf of gas and 78,085,085 barrels of crude oil. This came from 92,289 gas wells and 180,860 oil wells.

LONDON-BOUND

Barista Kasey Headley with Trinity Street Coffee Bar is going to London in April for an international competition – Coffee Masters. I’m thinking I need to give his signature drink the “She-Wolf” a try.

Trinity Street has become a Messenger newsroom favorite … and it’s not just because we’re neighbors. It’s simply the coffeehouse we’ve always dreamed of, puts “Friends” Central Perk to shame.

A certain reporter has already earned three free drinks through Trinity’s rewards program, and that got me to thinking: I wonder who the top 5 rewards members are? Like who has received the most free cups of coffee?

I shall investigate.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

It’s hard to imagine how Chick-fil-A continues to overlook Wise County as a prime restaurant location.

Take this week for example. Did you go to the Youth Fair’s broiler show? Broilers are chickens raised for meat, and let me tell you, we’ve got some good ones in these parts. Local 4-H and FFA members raise some great, good-eating birds.

So come on, Chick-fil-A. Build the store, and we’ll provide the chicken.

Days Without Chick-fil-A (starting in 2018) – 62.

Kristen Tribe is assistant publisher of the Messenger. If you have a submission for Taking Care of Business, email ktribe@wcmessenger.com.

]]>http://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-local-sears-store-closing/feed/0Taking Care of Business: Don’t give up on QThttp://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-dont-give-up-on-qt/
http://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-dont-give-up-on-qt/#respondSat, 24 Feb 2018 21:06:07 +0000http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=131540Rumor patrol: QuickTrip has not pulled out of Decatur.

For a couple of weeks, word on the street was QT was calling it quits on the Decatur project at the corner of U.S. 81/287 and Hale Street. But Decatur EDC Director Thom Lambert said Tuesday that’s not true.

He said the company is completing abatement of the former church building on the property, and once it’s given the “all clear,” the building will be torn down and construction can start.

That being said, we’re still months and months away from indulging in the array of beverages and fresh foods they tout. At this rate we might get a Chick-fil-A first.

RESERVATIONS ON HOLD

The opening of Fairfield Inn and Suites on U.S. 380 has been delayed until at least March 15.

Decatur Conference Center Director Lori Sherwood Tuesday told the Decatur EDC Board guests booked for the first three weeks in March had been moved to Hampton Inn and Suites.

SAME ATTENDS SEMINAR

Modern Woodmen of America representative Derrick Same of Boyd recently completed a five-day training program at the company’s home office in Rock Island, Ill.

The program focused on helping families reach their financial goals with Modern Woodmen. Speakers also covered technology, fraternalism and underwriting.

Modern Woodmen is a fraternal financial services organization offering financial products and member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

“More often than not, animal shelters and rescues depend greatly on food donations to support the pets they take in that await adoption,” said store manager Jake Gurley. “Our goal at Tractor Supply is to do our part in helping adoption efforts in our community because we know that pets are more than just dogs and cats; they are family.”

In addition to the food donation, the Decatur Tractor Supply hosts pet adoption events throughout the year.

CHICKEN LOYALTY

A co-worker, who shall remain unnamed for his own protection, suggested Wise County needs a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers more than a Chick-fil-A.

This is surely blasphemous to Team Waffle Fry.

Days Without Chick-fil-A (starting in 2018) – 55.

Kristen Tribe is assistant publisher of the Messenger. If you have a submission for Taking Care of Business, email ktribe@wcmessenger.com.

NEW IN TOWN – The Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Jan. 31 for Jorge’s Mexican Restaurant. Pictured (from left) are Jorge Pinto, Ruth Stokes and Paul Naquin. Messenger photo by Laura Belcher

After hearing mixed reviews from family members and friends, I decided I’d give it a try and report back to the masses.

I first thought I’d go in the middle of the afternoon, you know, for the full Walmart effect, but then I decided, “why torture myself?” Since I was giving the new system a whirl, I decided it would be best to do an early morning run when it’s less crowded.

I hit the store Thursday morning about 7:30, grabbed a scanner and got a few instructions from a Walmart clerk. To accommodate the new technology, the carts have been modified to include a holder for the scanner on the right side of the handle, a device on which to hang bags at the end of the cart, and a cup holder on the left side of the handle. (Side note: why did they wait til now to install cup holders? I could have used those years ago.)

Anyway, since this was just a test run, I kept my shopping list short. The way it works is you scan each item and bag them as you go. At the end of your trip you should have a cart full of bagged groceries, a quick checkout and then be on your way.

The scanner worked perfectly for me while shopping. Sometimes the art of grabbing an item from the shelf, scanning it and then getting around to the end of the cart to bag it was a bit cumbersome. It could become more fluid with practice. It wasn’t difficult, but it does require a little room to “work,” which could be hard if the store is really crowded.

Although I didn’t buy produce on this trip, the clerk showed me the procedure because it involves more than a simple scan and can be a little confusing. You have to enter the fruit or vegetable’s numerical code into the scanner, weigh the food on digital scales in the produce section and then manually enter the weight into the scanner. If you regularly use a smartphone, it’s not a foreign concept, but it seems like it would be tedious if you were buying a lot of produce.

Everything was going great until I got ready to check out. My scanner misbehaved, and despite me pushing the correct button numerous times, and the helpful clerk doing the same, it took a few minutes for the scanner to calculate what I owed. Once the scanner calculates your total, you scan a QR code on the checkout kiosk to make payment – but don’t forget to hold your tongue just right and by all means, hold the scanner at the exact level and distance required or this step will take longer than necessary, too.

I’m thinking Walmart will work out a few of these kinks the longer the system is in place. It’s new, so no one should expect it to be perfect right away, but at this point, I wouldn’t attempt to Scan and Go an entire grocery shopping trip.

Other observations:

You can also scan items with a Scan and Go app on your phone.

The store is conducting random audits, meaning a clerk could do a quick check to make sure you’re not stealing anything. This is understandable, but just know this could cost you in time.

The only checkout available on my shopping trip besides Scan and Go and self-check was the express lane, 20 items or less. I presume this is because it was between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., but a complaint I have heard from others is there are few regular checkout lines open, pushing customers to Scan and Go.

Blessed Bru, a traveling coffee bar, is setting up shop in Bridgeport.

Owner David Cramton of Decatur said the cart will be set up on Halsell Street next to Meyers Insurance 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, starting Feb. 9. They serve lattes, frappuccinos and espresso, as well as local pastries.

The cool part – Cramton said they serve “coffee with a cause,” giving a portion of their proceeds to a different charity or cause every month. According to the business website, Blessed Bru is a vehicle to help David, and his wife Jocelyn, open a community center for children and families, and a large percentage of proceeds will go toward launching that center. They also donate to other local causes and plan to eventually open a store front on Halsell.

PLAY IT AGAIN, PETE

The Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce banquet is 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Decatur Conference Center, and Pete’s Piano Bar will be in the house.

Shout out to Karl Klement Ford and James Wood Motors for sponsoring Pete’s – always a good time. But let’s not forget the event also recognizes the hard work of local business owners and honors award winners.

There are also silent and live auctions, as well as raffles, all of which raise money for the Bridgeport community. Buy tickets at bridgeportchamber.org or call 940-683-2076. And don’t forget to bring cash for the piano bar – a dueling good time!

WISE CHAMBER NEWS

The Wise County Chamber of Commerce has a busy two weeks ahead.

Its February luncheon is Monday 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boyd Community Center, 420 E. Morton Ave.

The speaker is Chip Hakanson with Edward Jones who will present “Entrepreneur Equations Seminar: Tools to Build and Protect Your Business.”

Lunch is by Jorge’s Mexican Restaurant and cost $15 at the door. (You had me at chips and salsa.)

But what I’m really looking forward to is the candidate forum 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Decatur Conference Center. According to the Chamber’s Facebook page, a candidate line-up and schedule will be released “soon,” but if Sen. Craig Estes and challenger Pat Fallon show up, that alone will be worth the price of admission. (See story on page 1A to read about their fireworks at this week’s forum.)

I NEED A NO. 1

The Messenger news team was stretched thin in January – lots of late nights, long hours and late-breaking news.

We sure would like to drown our sorrows in some Chick-Fil-A … oh, wait.

Days Without Chick-Fil-A (starting in 2018) – 34.

Kristen Tribe is assistant publisher of the Messenger. If you have a submission for Taking Care of Business, email ktribe@wcmessenger.com.

HONORED FOR SERVICE -Anna Coker and Chet Niblett each received an award at Tuesday’s Decatur Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Messenger photo by Mark Jordan

Decatur Chamber of Commerce President Christie Rhine Tuesday passed the torch to incoming president Shane Conley.

Of course, she also passed on some “tools” he’ll need to be the best president ever, including a cowboy hat and rope for when things get a little western.

Apparently, Conley chased a horse halfway across town when it got loose during the 2017 Parade of Lights, so the board is thinking a rope might come in handy.

I just want to know one thing: is there video of the horse pursuit?

Other officers installed at this week’s luncheon included First Vice President Brandt Wicker and Second Vice President Stephanie Quarles.

The Chamber also presented two special awards. Chet Niblett received the Community Achievement Award, and Anna Coker was recognized with the Faith in the Future Award.

First State Bank was the luncheon sponsor, and they put a philanthropic spin on the event. Instead of filling the table with swag, they used the money normally spent on giveaways to make a $2,500 donation to Wise Area Relief Mission. WARM was holding a fundraiser that night to kickstart collections after being practically emptied during the holiday season.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS – New Decatur Chamber President Shane Conley shows off his tools for the job presented to him by Chamber Executive Director Misty Hudson (left) and outgoing president, Christie Rhine. Messenger photo by Kristen Tribe

BANK REMODEL

The dust is flying at Legend Bank in Decatur as a remodeling project gets underway.

Construction on a new lobby layout, which will provide more office space to serve customers, begins Feb. 16. The lobby and drive-through will close at noon that day. The drive-through will remain closed Feb. 17, and the bank is closed for President’s Day Feb. 19.

The lobby will be closed throughout construction, but the drive-through will re-open starting Feb. 20. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon. Saturday.

Lobby banking services will be available at Legend’s Decatur Bank Operations Center at 910 U.S. 380 Business. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Safe deposit box access will be available by appointment. Call 940-627-1553.

We wept at the scent of those waffle fries. I would like to note he did not share. Considering it’s flu season, it’s probably best to not reach into the same fry receptacle as others … but then again, I don’t mind living on the edge.

Days Without Chick-Fil-A (starting in 2018) – 27.

Kristen Tribe is assistant publisher of the Messenger. If you have a submission for Taking Care of Business, email ktribe@wcmessenger.com.

Joe said he was approached about moving Sweetie Pie’s to the old Frilly’s location on U.S. 81/287 and putting Babe’s in at the Decatur square site, but that wasn’t a viable option for the company.

“With Sanger 35 miles away and our Roanoke location about the same distance, we don’t want to compete with our existing restaurants,” he said. “We love Decatur, but we’re happy with Sweetie Pie’s right where it is.”

Although they’re not opening a Babe’s in Decatur, they are opening a new one in North Richland Hills. Vinyard said they just poured the slab at the corner of Rufe Snow and Loop 820. A Sweetie Pie’s will also be built on that site, which is a 6-acre location.

Vinyard said a lot of NRH folks are visiting Sweetie Pie’s in Decatur to preview what will soon be in their own backyard.

“They’re excited to have a steakhouse,” he said.

CHICK FEVER

For those pining for poultry, did you notice: we still don’t have a Chick-Fil-A.

Not to brag, but I ate at one last week in Fort Worth. I had a No. 1. (Don’t be jealous.)

So in the spirit of our chicken needs not being met, the countdown continues.

According to a press release, the promotions were approved by the board of directors at their December meeting.

Evans has 20 years of banking experience, and during that time has worked in customer service, new accounts, lending, loan operations and retail banking.

Garcia began her banking career in 2010 as a teller. In 2013, she became a loan assistant. She moved to the position of corporate banking specialist in 2015.

Pilgrim Bank was chartered in 1911 in Pittsburg. The Decatur location is one of 16 across Northeast Texas, North Central Texas and the Panhandle. It’s at 1405 Business 380.

Kristen Tribe is the Messenger’s assistant publisher. If you have a submission for Taking Care of Business, email ktribe@wcmessenger.com.

]]>http://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-chicken-fried-news/feed/0Taking Care of Business: Chasing down Walmart rumorshttp://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-chasing-down-walmart-rumors/
http://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-chasing-down-walmart-rumors/#respondSat, 13 Jan 2018 20:53:53 +0000http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=129598Friends who have used grocery pickup at the Haslet Walmart have described it as “awesome,” “so easy” and “life-changing.”

You place and pay for your grocery order online and choose from a list of designated pickup times, which are set up in one-hour time slots. Anytime during that hour, you notify the store through the app that you’re “on your way.” Once there you park in spaces at the end of the building designated with orange paint and awnings. Walmart associates load the groceries into your car, you sign for your order and drive away.

Kristen Tribe

Rumors have been swirling about whether or not the Decatur Walmart is getting grocery pickup, and they were further fueled when the south corner of the building was painted orange in a recent exterior facelift. That means it’s coming soon, right?

I’ve got bad news: it’s not.

Assistant Manager Steven Hudson said this week they “might get it in September.”

“This is really a rumor at this point,” he said. “We don’t even know for sure.”

He explained that to have grocery pickup, the grocery side of the store would have to be renovated. He said the color orange was painted on the end of the building to advertise pickup for general merchandise (ordering items online and choosing store pickup instead of home delivery). Hudson said an orange corner was painted on most Walmarts, even small ones, to advertise this service.

What is coming soon are more self-checkouts. Hudson said a two-week renovation begins Jan. 21 to build more self-checkouts for a total of 17 (seven on the general merchandise end and 10 on the grocery end).

The renovation will reduce the number of regular checkout lines to nine, but the store will add the scan-and-go system during this time. With the new system, you’ll will be able to use provided scanners or the Walmart Scan and Go app on your smartphone to scan items as you put them in your cart. The app maintains a running total of everything in your cart, and when you’re ready to check out, you can simply click a button and pay through the app. The scanners work in a similar manner except you pay through an associate.

NOW OPEN

Brandi’s Country Kitchen in Decatur opened this week on the square, 112 W. Walnut St.

Owner Brandi Davis said the restaurant will be closed this weekend to re-group after large crowds but will re-open Monday. Regular hours will be 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“I’ve run out of lunch specials every day,” she said. “This town loves chicken, hamburger steaks and clubs [sandwiches]. I’ve been through 15 cases of chicken this week!”

Kristen Tribe is assistant publisher of the Messenger.

]]>http://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-chasing-down-walmart-rumors/feed/0Taking Care of Business: Where, oh where, is the QT?http://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-where-oh-where-is-the-qt/
http://www.wcmessenger.com/2018/business/taking-care-of-business-where-oh-where-is-the-qt/#respondSat, 06 Jan 2018 17:52:19 +0000http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=129329Welcome to the first Taking Care of Business, my look at what’s happening on the business front across Wise County.

Kristen Tribe

This column pairs well with a good cup of coffee and an interest in growth and development. It will be a regular feature in the Messenger covering store openings and closings, investigating business rumors and sharing business celebrations – anniversaries, retirements, and awards.

I’ll be out and about visiting local establishments and your local officials, but I’m counting on you, the readers, to help out, too. Have you heard a business is coming to town? Email me, and I’ll find out if it’s true. Is your longtime co-worker retiring? Give me a shout, and I’ll recognize them here.

This will be a place for cheers, and jeers when warranted, and a closer look at the business world in Wise.

QT QUESTIONS

Construction of the QuikTrip at the corner of U.S. 81/287 and Hale Street in Decatur is on hold, pending written approval of related roadwork by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), according to Thom Lambert, director of the Decatur Economic Development Corp.

Cornerstone Baptist Church, formerly located on this property, has moved to its new location at 2496 Deer Park Road. Its old building still stands at the Hale Street address, and although a permit has been pulled for its demolition. Lambert said his understanding is no work will begin until the written approval for the roadwork is received.

Supposedly TxDOT has OK’d the roadwork; the only thing missing is the written approval.

I contacted TxDOT Friday for more details and didn’t hear back by press time, but I’ll keep you posted.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED … ALMOST

The new industrial park, which city officials prefer we call a business park, now has a name – Eagle’s Landing. It’s located on Farm Road 2264.

Lambert said they have secured an anchor business, but he declined Thursday to release the name. (Soon, very soon.) He did say the business will be built on a 21-acre site.

TxDOT is widening 2264, building a turn lane, which will hopefully ease potential traffic woes with trucks coming in and out of the business park.

Again, as soon as I hear back from TxDOT, I’ll share the full scope of the project.

WELCOME TO THE SQUARE – Hey Sugar’s bright interior creates a fun atmosphere and is exactly what you expect a candy store to be. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

The two newest additions – Trinity Street Coffee Bar and Hey Sugar – are drawing huge crowds and create a great vibe.

For me, it was love at first sight when I walked into Trinity Street. I’ve been waiting all my Messenger-working, adult life for this. Before I had even a sip of coffee or adult beverage, I was smitten with their menus. They were inside old books. (Be still my literary heart.) They just recently partnered with Rooster’s to offer food starting at 11 a.m. every day. These aren’t items on the Rooster’s menu, they’re unique to Trinity Street but prepared by Rooster’s.

Related trivia: Trinity Street Coffee Bar used to be the donut shop.

Hey Sugar is a bright, fun storefront with every candy imaginable – chocolate or fruity, sweet or sour, chewy or hard – take your pick. Their goodies, in combination with some treats from Cakes by Leisha, just a few doors down from the Messenger, made for some great gifts and stocking stuffers this holiday season.

RIBBON CUTTING – The Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Nov. 2 for Foundation Therapy. Pictured above, holding the scissors, is owner Chris Hicks. Next to him (above right) are his wife Kristi and daughter Averett. Left of Hicks is Ali Martinez. Submitted photo

OPEN FOR BUSINESS – A Pilot Travel Center opened in what was formerly TopSmart at the intersection of U.S. 81/287 and Farm Road 407. Messenger photo by Joe Duty

The Pilot Travel Center opened Monday in New Fairview at the intersection of U.S. 81/287 and Farm Road 407.

The truck stop and store opened in the building of the former TopSmart, which was sold to Pilot Flying J’s in September.

The building was renovated inside and out. The facility now includes eight fueling stations and six diesel lanes, driver’s lounge and restaurant.

Stephanie Myers, spokesperson for Pilot Flying J’s, said the store will employ 40 people and bring in $2 million in state and local tax revenues.

]]>http://www.wcmessenger.com/2017/business/pilot-opens-at-287-407/feed/0Steel fabrication company sets up shophttp://www.wcmessenger.com/2017/business/steel-fabrication-company-sets-up-shop/
http://www.wcmessenger.com/2017/business/steel-fabrication-company-sets-up-shop/#respondWed, 15 Nov 2017 17:53:25 +0000http://www.wcmessenger.com/?p=127140Bridgeport City Council recently approved an economic development agreement executed between the Bridgeport Economic Development Corp. and Pantera Ventures LLC.

Pantera Ventures is a steel fabrication company that conducts work in the commercial construction and energy sectors, and it will hire up to 25 new employees at its Bridgeport location in the first year.

“Bridgeport is a heavy industry leader in the region, and Pantera Ventures advances that reputation while diversifying our employment base and offering high paying jobs to welders and other men and women with skilled trades,” Bridgeport EDC Director Kevin Holzbog said. “The Bridgeport EDC board of directors is pleased to partner with existing industry and new industry to create quality employment opportunities for our residents.”

Bridgeport Mayor Randy Singleton, City Manager Jesica McEachern and the city council thanked Pantera Ventures’ ownership for their business investment in Bridgeport.

“When looking for a location for our commercial steel fabrication shop, Bridgeport was a natural fit,” Pantera CEO Pamela Huffman said. “The city of Bridgeport and Bridgeport Economic Development Corp. have been a great help and made it easy for us to get set up and ready to hire employees. We look forward to adding up to 25 employees in 2018 at our Bridgeport shop, and our growth projections predict an additional 10 employees every year for the next three years.

“The area vendors were also a factor in our decision to open our doors here,” she said. “We are excited to source all that we can from Bridgeport area businesses.”

Bridgeport EDC is currently working with the Texas Workforce Commission, local educational institutions, North Central Texas Workforce Solutions and Pantera Ventures to help meet current and future workforce demands.

Pantera Ventures is at 86 Barnett Shale Dr. If you are interested in employment, call the Bridgeport office, 940-683-6226. Email resumes to admin@pantera-ventures.com. Applications are also available at the Bridgeport shop.

PARADE OF LIGHTS – The Decatur Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights is 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Entry is free, and forms are available at the Chamber office, 308 W. Main Street. Call 940-627-3107.

LUNCH WITH MAYORS – The Wise County Chamber of Commerce luncheon is noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at the Boyd Community Center, 420 E. Morton Ave. Local mayors will attend talks about their cities’ initiatives. Cost is $10 per person. RSVP to info@wisecountychamber.com or purchase tickets online, wisecountychamber.com.

CHAMBER AWARDS – The Wise County Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Decatur Conference Center. Ventriloquist Gloria Gilbert Barron will perform. Barron is a former Miss Texas and Miss America talent winner. Early bird tickets are $25 per person online through Nov. 27 and then go up to $30. Purchase tickets online at wisecountychamber.com.

On this 100th anniversary of the first Chevrolet truck, the Bow-Tie division of General Motors has a new vehicle that Chevrolet says will someday outsell a Texas favorite – the Tahoe.

The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse that I’ve spent the last few weeks with is indeed an impressive vehicle – a far cry from that 1917 truck, which was about as basic as a truck can be. It was a one-ton flatbed with no cab, no roof, doors or padding on its wooden bench seat. It was literally a horseless carriage, a mild adaptation of the age-old design that put a 36 horsepower four-cylinder engine in front of the driver where a horse would have been a year earlier.

My co-worker Mark Jordan and I put the 2018 Traverse from James Wood Motors in Decatur on a true, long-distance comfort test with a 10-hour round trip drive to Brownfield, west of Lubbock. It passed with flying colors.

The new Traverse is a significant improvement over the former design. The time I recently spent in a ragged-out 35,000-mile vehicle from Budget Rent-a-Car in Philadelphia was probably not a good comparison. To say it was awful would be an understatement. The 2018 Traverse is a marked improvement.

To get back to the Tahoe comparison, the Traverse is simply more car-like, and the Tahoe is truck based.

But the Traverse is larger in many important ways. It’s built on a 120-inch wheelbase compared to 116 for the Tahoe, and overall, the Traverse is slightly longer, 204.3 inches compared to 204 for the Tahoe.

Second row leg room – a significant measure for many families – is almost identical, but the Tahoe has a slight edge 39 inches to 38.4 for the Traverse.

Under the hood the Traverse is powered by a 310 horsepower, 3.6 liter V6 while the Tahoe has the traditional 5.3 liter V8. The Traverse has GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission. On our West Texas trip, Mark and I racked up about 25 miles per gallon in highway driving. That’s important because in some small West Texas towns, there are no gasoline stations.

The Traverse faces stiff competition from the legendary Ford Explorer and to a lesser extent the Dodge Durango and a number of similar vehicles from Toyota, Honda and Hyundai.

Those mid-sized sport utility vehicles have quickly become the family vehicle of choice for many Americans. Because they “sit higher” and have better visibility, they are quickly replacing the family sedan on customers’ shopping lists.

The new Traverse looks significantly different than the 2017 model it replaces and is similar in design to the smaller Equinox. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think both look great.

The new design makes the Traverse the largest in its class beating the Explorer, Toyota Highlander and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Unlike the Grand Cherokee, the Traverse, Durango and Explorer offer third seats.

There is one feature that while important for fuel economy will take a little getting used to. When you are stopped at a signal light with your foot on the brake, the engine turns off. If the light is long, after about 20 seconds the engine starts up again with a shudder. But you will hardly notice it on other occasions as you release the brake and touch the accelerator immediately.

The new Traverse comes in a variety of trim levels from the basic LS to the plush High Country. The Premier is right next to the High Country in the luxury pecking order and the one we were driving has dual sun-roofs which can really brighten up a dreary day.

Brandt Wicker, general sales manager at James Wood in Decatur, said the new Traverse is a hit with dealership customers. That’s a good sign for Chevrolet, and it will be interesting to see how the Traverse/Tahoe battle shapes up.